PAS now offers prosperous Sabah without Hudud? Not believable

The Malaysia Today reported that PAS would aim for a prosperous Sabah without Hudud. But can we trust PAS? I would say an emphatic NO!

Remember that earlier had talked about PAS for all when they contested against UMNO/BN together with the now defunct Pakatan Rakyat, but on winning the 13th General Election under Hadi leadership, they submitted a bill to the Parliament that is equivalent to introducing Hudud despite objections from other Pakatan Rakyat component parties.

Not only that, PAS wants to enforce Hudud in Peninsular Malaysia, but now offers "no Hudud" in Sabah for expediency reason merely because they want to win power in Sabah and since they have gone back on their promises (remember PAS for all? plus going against the agreement to decide on consensus basis in PR) there is no guarantee they will not go back on their promises to Sabah.

Remember decisions in Pakatan Rakyat are made subject to consensus and clearly that step to introduce the "Hudud" bill did not receive consensus of of PR component parties leading to breakup of Pakatan Rakyat.

And what did PAS do after that? PAS started overtures to get close to UMNO/BN despite knowing of all the scandals that had been committed by UMNO/BN. Not only that, they did not raise their voice against all the wrong doings of UMNO/BN including the heinous 1MDB scandal

How a party professing religion can ignore such wrong doings I do not know.

Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki (PAS) again propose join BN. His excuse.

Remember PAS research centre director Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki? Remember that news about a leaked WhatsApp conversation about PAS joining while PAS was still a component party of Pakatan Rakyat?

PAS research centre operations director Dr Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki, whose WhatsApp message about the party working with Umno went public, claimed that the message was about "analysing scenarios" of the party breaking away from Pakatan Rakyat.

Dr Zuhdi said on his Facebook page that the options of the party leaving the coalition was a request made by a PAS leader of the central committee WhatsApp group.

Read more at https://www.thestar.com.my/news/nation/2014/07/29/pas-dr-zuhdi-says-whatsapp-message-exit-senarios/#kjH2Iau5jCiLkzPt.99

"PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli also hit out at the PAS member, Dr Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki, for the racial and religious tone in the leaked message.

In a sign of escalating tension between both parties as a result of the current Selangor menteri besar crisis, Rafizi also demanded that PAS president Datuk Seri Abdul Hadi Awang state the number of PAS leaders who held such views."
https://forum.lowyat.net/topic/3303875/all

Zuhdi is now again reported for PAS to join BN (Barisan Nasional). His excuse?
Former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad's "arrogance" and belittling of PAS' plan to form or be part of the next government has left the party with only two choices, a PAS strategist says.

PAS research centre director Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki said the choices are either for PAS to remain in the opposition, or to join BN in forming the next government.

What kind of morals/excuses can PAS offers to join in or support a corrupt and power abusing government just escape me.
(PAS still considering joining government with BN after general election)

Read more at https://www.malaysiakini.com/news/410096#u5ek1xzhRw0Pc7Wh.99

PAS still considering joining government with BN after general election

PAS had frequently been accused of supporting/intention to join UMNO/BN and denied by PAS. But here it is loud and clear that PAS do have intention of doing what it had been accused of doing:

PAS masih pertimbang sertai BN selepas PRU
http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/bahasa/2018/01/23/pas-masih-pertimbang-sertai-bn-selepas-pru/

Here it is clearly been reported that Azman Ibrahim, a PAS leader and committee member of the PAS Central Working Committee (Ahli Jawatankuasa Kerja PAS Pusat) stated that PAS would consider cooperating with BN coalition after the 14th General Elections.

Why would PAS, a claimed religious/political party, cooperate with UMNO/BN, a coalition that practices crony capitalism and political culture runs on money. All religions eschew bribery, corruptions and stealing.

Amanah, PAS, Hadi and UMNO BN (and divorcing wives)

The progressive members of PAS left PAS and formed Amanah to continue cooperation with DAP and PKR. Why? Because cooperation of DAP and PKR become very problematic recent months especially with Abdul Hadi Awang leading PAS.

And some PAS members had been screaming for those who left PAS to form Amanah to resign their elected offices plus divorce their wives. But are their demands justified?

My opinions. PAS contested in past elections against UMNO BN in cooperation with DAP and PKR as Pakatan Rakyat plus the Common Policies Platform. This cooperation and Common Policies did not provide for Hudud. And certainly not one component party (PAS) leaving Pakatan Rakyat to form a Selangor State Government with the tainted UMNO BN.

And now Husam Musa, the former PAS Vice President, have come out to confirm what many already have accepted as fact that Hadi had conspired to leave Pakatan Rakyat to form Selangor State Government with UMNO BN with cooperation from a few PKR ADUNs after the 2013 elections (correction, it seemed it was during the Selangor Mentri Besar crisis when PAS was in loggerhead with DAP and PKR about removing Khalid as Mentri Besar).

That is clear cut betrayal of DAP, PKR, Pakatan Rakyat and especially those who voted for the opposition in the 2013 elections. So now with you tell me, with this, who should resign from their elected offices and divorce their wives?

Hadi conspired to form Selangor unity government with Umno, says former PAS veep

Katak Ibrahim Ali laughing? He shouldn't be

Why is Katak Ibrahim Ali (katak = frog) laughing? First, why is Ibrahim Ali commonly denigrated as a katak (frog). It was his habit of first wining an elected post with one party, then subsequently changing political party. That is, he, like a frog, jump from one party to another. Malaysians are particularly sore that he won the parliamentary seat of Pasir Mas on a PAS ticket(opposition) in the 2008 General Election, but subsequently leaped over to the much despised ruling Barisan Nasional.

So why is Ibrahim laughing? Because a significant number of Members of Parliament and State Assemblymen have removed them from PAS and subsequently joining newly formed Parti Amanah Negara, and another over to PKR intenting to form a new opposition coalition. So he claimed that his accusers have become katak themselves. So does that make Katak Ibrahim Ali "innocent"?

But Ibrahim Ali should wipe that smile on his face because these elected members didn't jump from an opposition party over to the ruling party. They jumped from PAS, component of the opposition coalition Pakatan Rakyat, but they intend to still continue as opposition in "Pakatan 2.0".

Their big difference from Katak Ibrahim Ali is that Katak Ibrahim Ali jumped from opposition party to that despised ruling party, a world of difference. So Katak Ibrahim Ali, you are still an incorrigible Katak.

Parti Amanah Negara is "PAS Asal". MPs no need to resign

PAS has been pushing for progressive members who joined the newly announced PAN (Parti Amanah Negara) to resign from their elected posts as MPs and ADUNs plus divorce their wifes.

This is my opinion. PAS members who contested in the 2013 General Elections contested and won while PAS was a component party of Pakatan Rakyat plus a manifesto that mentioned welfare state and which did not include Hudud. Voters voted for them because they contested on a PR "ticket".

When PAS reneged on the above, those who wants to continue with the Pakatan Rakyat spirit were thus forced to form a new party PAN that will continue to be a component party of PR, thus PAN is that original "PAS" (PAS Asal) which were with Pakatan Rakyat in 2013. Thus MPs and ADUNs of the newly formed PAN need not resign their elected posts nor divorce their wifes.

On the contrary, it is those MPs and ADUNs still remaining in PAS that need to resign as voters did not vote for them as an independent party and is no more that same PAS within the Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

Selangor MB crisis, Hadi Awang betrayal of PR

It was reported in The Malaysian Insider (Hadi admits offering Azmin MB post in unity government with Umno) that Hadi Awang of PAS had offered Azmin of PKR the Mentri Besar post by joining PAS, UMNO and a few PKR turncoats to form a unity state government for Selangor.

This is betrayal of the highest order by Hadi Awang. However, it was rejected by Azmin and the other PAS Selangor State Assemblymen if I read the article correctly. Just how dependable is PAS as a partner of Pakatan Rakyat? Can the voters trust Hadi Awang again? And PAS? I believe many others in PAS do not agree with cooperating with UMNO. Let's see how the development unfolds.

Dr. Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki and ISMA

We all know ISMA and its ultra Malay-Islamic views, but until the expose of the Whatapp conversation of the PAS Central Committee members, most Malaysians would not know who this Dr. Mohd. Zuhdi Marzuki is.

Dr. Mohd. Zuhdi Marzuki is PAS Research Centre Operations Director who while painting various scenerios of PAS leaveing the Pakatan Rakyat coalition and to betray PR and voters who voted them into office to team up with UMNO and 2 turncoats from PR to form a simple majority Selangor state government plus at the year end, engage in gerrymandering to disenfranchise the non-Malays non-Muslims.

But KTemoc had 2 months earlier wrote about Zduhdi being photographed together with other ISMA members with Zdudi representing PAS so this racist slant of Zuhdi should be no big surprise. See photo below:

Dr Mohd Zuhdi Marzuki (second from right)

DAP Rocket has landed on the Moon!!

The move by ROS (Registra of Society) to not recognize the DAP CEC (Central Executive Committee) has the unintended effect of strengthening the cooperation and camaraderie between its component parties, PKR, DAP and PAS.

DAP has decided to use the PAS "moon" logo in Peninsular Malaysia and the PKR "eye" logo in East Malaysia.

So do help us kick out the corrupt and power abusing UMNO/BN from Putrajaya by helping to spread the news that the DAP Rocket has landed on the MOON


Please tell all the voters that where a DAP candidate is contesting, put your X in the box for PAS.

Is Nasharudin Mat Isa an UMNO mole?

Everyone remembered Nasharudin, former Deputy President of PAS, as the person who almost succeeded in killing the cooperation with DAP and PKR by negotiating with UMNO on a pact post March 08.

Now Nasharudin is at it again, but this time dipping his fingers into the affairs of BERSIH 3.0.

Nasharudin was reported as objecting to the leadership of Ambiga to head BERSIH 3.0 as she "supports" LGBT (Lesbians Gay Bisexual Transexual) and that PAS should lead instead.

Now Nasharudin should know that BERSIH is non-partisan and non-political and while welcoming the support and participation of political parties, do not want any political party to lead.

So Nasharudin must be fishing in troubled water by bringing this subject up throwing more suspicions on his motives.

RPK's take on Hudud & PAS

As part of trying to understand the mind of Muslims and PAS, here is a reproduction of RPK's NO HOLDS BARRED: Thick in the head which incidentally repeated wha I had mentioned in my earlier post - Should non-Muslim have a say on Malaysia becoming an Islamic state?:

RPK: PAS requires non-Muslims to pay ‘Islamic’ tax other than income tax. Muslims pay zakat and non-Muslims pay kharaj. Is this not a violation of Article 11(2) of the Constitution?

At least now in addition to knowing the people of the book are referred to as dhimmis in an Islamic state, I now know the rest are called thimmies (also referred to as Ahl Zimmi?) and the tax paid by non-Muslims is called jizyah

Full text from RPK's article:

Grow up, PAS supporters. Stop acting like bloody spoiled children who throw tantrums every time someone does not agree with you. You are still far from matured. And until you show maturity do not expect us to show you respect. Respect must be earned. Stop demanding that we show you respect when you have not earned it.

NO HOLDS BARRED

Raja Petra Kamarudin

We are still seeing a lot of venom being spitted out because of my article on Hudud. The trouble is these people appear to think they have every right to propagate Hudud (just because they happen to be Muslim-Malays) and others have absolutely no right to oppose the issue.

They appear to have forgotten one very crucial issue. PAS is a political party. Therefore, whatever PAS says and does is politics. That is all it is. Politics. Nothing more nothing less.

Any political party is allowed to propagate and promote its objective, aspiration, ideology, mission, vision, manifesto, and what have you. This is the right of all political parties. And in that same spirit, any citizen of Malaysia has the right to disagree with what these political parties stand for.

It just happens to be that PAS promotes the Hudud issue. And those who do not support this issue are allowed to oppose it. What if PAS promotes the issue that every Malaysian citizen must be given a free cow? Do we have right to oppose that if we disagree with this idea?

What if PAS says that Malaysian males of the age of 15 must be allowed to vote and for females it should be the age of 11 because that is the age of puberty? Can we disagree with that proposal on grounds that Malaysians of age 11-15 are just too young and instead propose that all Malaysians of the age of 18 should be allowed to vote since they can get married and can drive a car at that age -- so they should be also allowed to vote at that age?

PAS members and Malaysians in general scream that Barisan Nasional and Umno do not respect the Federal Constitution of Malaysia. But do the PAS supporters respect the Constitution?

Article 8 (1 and 2) of the Constitution says all Malaysians must be treated equal. So how can Muslims suffer a different punishment from non-Muslims for crimes they commit? Is this not a violation of the Constitution? And is PAS respecting the Constitution by proposing different punishments for crimes based on your religion? The Constitution says there must be no discrimination based on religion.

PAS requires non-Muslims to pay ‘Islamic’ tax other than income tax. Muslims pay zakat and non-Muslims pay kharaj. Is this not a violation of Article 11(2) of the Constitution?

Why scream about Barisan Nasional and Umno not respecting the Constitution when we too do not respect it? We scream blue murder when it suits us. But we also violate the Constitution when it suits us.

This is what these emotional PAS supporters are overlooking. PAS is a political party. And everything they say and do must be seen as politics. And in politics we have a right to agree, disagree, and agree to disagree.

So what if PAS happens to be talking about Islam or Islamic laws? It is still politics since PAS is a political party. And in politics we have every right to agree or disagree with what you say and do.

Grow up, PAS supporters. Stop acting like bloody spoiled children who throw tantrums every time someone does not agree with you. You are still far from matured. And until you show maturity do not expect us to show you respect. Respect must be earned. Stop demanding that we show you respect when you have not earned it.

***********************************************

DAP will not compromise on hudud issue, says Karpal

(The Star) - DAP will not depart from its stand that Malaysia should not be an Islamic country.

DAP chairman Karpal Singh said PAS should not infringe the ruling by the five-men bench Supreme Court ruling in 1988, which decreed that the country is governed by secular laws.

“This ruling is not overturned and therefore the decision still stands.

“PAS has to accept the Supreme Court’s pronunciation,” he told a press conference at the Air Itam market yesterday.

He was commenting on PAS Youth chief Nasrudin Hassan Tantawi’s statement that it would continue to push for the implementation of Islamic laws in Malaysia despite fierce objection from the DAP.

Karpal Singh, who is also Bukit Gelugor MP, said the party would not compromise on its principles to appease its political partners.

He said DAP was not anti-Malay or anti-Islam but “what we want in absolute terms is what the Constitution provides for and for what the Supreme Court has decreed”.

“Syariah laws means hudud laws and hudud laws are inappropriate for a multi-cultural and multi-racial country like Malaysia.”

On the allegation made by Umno Youth that the state government was using the Penang Turf Club’s contribution to fund its hardcore poor eradication programme, Karpal Singh said Umno should not exploit the issue.

“The income of the country or at least part of it is from gambling.

“If Umno is right, then all governments (state and Federal) should be condemned as the gambling permits are also issued by the Federal Government,” he said.

***********************************************

Federal Constitution of Malaysia

Article 8

1. All persons are equal before the law and entitled to the equal protection of the law.

2. Except as expressly authorized by this Constitution, there shall be no discrimination against citizens on the ground only of religion, race, descent or place of birth in any law relating to the acquisition, holding or disposition of property or the establishing or carrying on of any trade, business, profession, vocation or employment.

Article 11

1. Every person has the right to profess and practice his religion and, subject to Clause (4), to propagate it.

2. No person shall be compelled to pay any tax the proceeds of which are specially allocated in whole or in part for the purposes of a religion other than his own.

PAS DAP relation - can it survive hudud law dispute?

As a continuation of seeking a consensus between PAS and DAP over the Islamic state and Hudud law issues, let's do a compilation of all views regarding the relations and interactions between PAS and DAP. So here is political analyst Wong Chin Huat take on whether PAS and DAP can survive the hudud law dispute, courtesy of the Nut Graph:

Uncommon Sense with Wong Chin Huat: Can PAS and DAP survive hudud law dispute?
By Ding Jo-Ann | 20 September 2010 |

MALAYSIANS have been seeing PAS and DAP cooperate on a level not thought possible before. When DAP Member of Parliament Teo Nie Ching received brickbats from Umno for speaking in a surau’s prayer room, PAS leaders spoke up in her defence, saying non-Muslims are allowed in Muslim houses of worship. Earlier this year, Umno leaders argued that sports betting should be legalised. PAS and DAP begged to differ. Umno said Christians should be banned from using “Allah” to refer to God. PAS leaders said otherwise.
But what about the ultimate bones of contention — hudud law and an Islamic state — both of which DAP opposes? Can PAS and DAP really put aside their differences on this to form a lasting coalition in Pakatan Rakyat (PR)? The Nut Graph asks political scientist Wong Chin Huat in the latest installation of Uncommon Sense.

TNG: PAS and DAP disagree over the implementation of hudud laws every so often. The most recent incident involved DAP chairperson Karpal Singh reminding PAS that hudud and the Islamic state are not within PR’s policy. How will this play out if PR manages to form the next federal government? Will either side have to compromise and if so, will those compromises alienate their respective voter bases?

Wong Chin Huat : The issue will disappear once they form the next federal government provided Umno is sufficiently weakened but not completely wiped out.

While their ideological commitments are real, DAP and PAS have always been strategic in the issues they highlight. There are many ways to showcase PAS’s contribution in promoting Islam other than implementing hudud. DAP won’t have problems with Islamisation if it involves islamising the financial system or expanding social welfare as long as non-Muslims are not discriminated against or forced to follow Islamic laws.

Before 8 March 2008, you would expect DAP to stand up to defend the right of non-Muslims to gamble, a position now ironically taken over by Umno on the sports betting issue. Instead, DAP supported the anti-gambling position and packaged it with a strongly non-Muslim flavour by announcing Penang’s state-level ban on sports gambling outlets on Wesak Day.

All things are possible in politics. What we should be concerned about is how to divert attention away from the divisive issue of hudud or at least not make it a priority. The answer lies in giving PAS and DAP enough power so that they appreciate that forsaking such power over hudud is suicidal. This rests more on non-Muslim voters than on Muslim voters. Imagine if PAS won 40 parliamentary seats, with half of those won in mixed seats due to crucial non-Muslim support. Would they harp on hudud if they risked losing these 20 seats in the following elections?

However, if Umno/Barisan Nasional (BN) is completely destroyed in the next elections and PR starts to feel it is unbeatable, there will be some who will want to play hero again within Pakatan Rakyat on the issue of hudud. So the issue will come back.

TNG: PAS leaders have said they will adhere to PR’s Common Policy Framework (CPF) and called a truce for now on the hudud issue. How binding is this document and do you foresee PR parties sticking to it on principle, even at times when it may hurt them politically?

If the prospect of PR coming into power is real, the CPF will be binding. They will definitely stick to it before the next elections even if it hurts. What happens after the next elections will depend on who survives and who triumphs.

If people like Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, Khalid Samad and Siti Mariah Mahmud lose in the next general election, then they can stick to the CPF all they like, but it won’t matter anymore. Collectively, politicians are opportunists. It’s part of their job requirement. So, don’t test them on their principles more than you want to deliberately test your partner on their fidelity. All we should aim for is a good outcome, not a heroic but tragic ending.

TNG: Does the CPF bind PAS’s actions in the states where they hold a majority such as Kedah and Kelantan? Have they been abiding by the CPF’s principles so far?

There are clearly sins of omissions to say the least. Kelantan and Kedah have shown no interest in local democracy. Kedah’s policy of reserving 50% of housing lots for Bumiputeras certainly does not fit well with PR’s vision of an inclusive and colour-blind Malaysia.

Why is the CPF not being followed religiously? The simple answer is that it is not being indoctrinated effectively. It remains an official document, not an ideological guide. If you tested DAP and PKR’s party election candidates and asked them to list out five specific issues in the CPF, I don’t know how many would pass.

Is this a problem? Yes, the lack of interests and seriousness in CPF means that we can’t expect a clear picture of how this country will be run. The CPF is rather vague to begin with. But this is not a serious issue, and it is not one that will break the Pakatan Rakyat.

As long as federal power is still within sight, DAP and PAS will love each other. By the same logic, the moment the prospect of power fades, Umno will bid farewell to MCA, MIC and other member parties. For example, in Sarawak, because Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud is increasingly unpopular, his once-loyalists in SUPP have hinted they might leave BN.

At the end of the day, all political coalitions are marriages of convenience. We don’t have to ask whether there will be true love at the time of adversity. We should just make sure that the marriage works out well when they are in power or on the road to power. This is the problem with BN — their marriage is not even working when they are still in power.

TNG: Have PAS and DAP leaders been saying different things to different constituencies in order not to ruffle any feathers? How consistent have both their stands been on hudud and the Islamic state issue since March 2008?

No. The exchange of words between Karpal and PAS spiritual leader Datuk Seri Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat over hudud is the case in point. With the increasingly multilingual population, double-speak or dog-whistling has no chance of success but will backfire.

The challenge for PAS and DAP is exactly how to remain consistent and reconcilable with each other at the same time. It’s how to persuade their members that some issues just need to be left to time and they just need to agree to disagree for now.

TNG: Will one way of compromise be that PAS implement its Islamic state model only in states where they hold a majority? Will this result in creeping Islamisation state by state?

Islamisation has two approaches in general.
The first is Islamisation of the state, using state power to impose Islamic values and institutions, as understood and interpreted by the ruling elites, on the rest of population. This is basically Islamisation by coercion — even though its advocates would call it part of believers’ duty or even that of residing minority groups. The fact remains that those who refuse to follow cannot opt out. Such Islamisation will not work even if carried out only at the state level because citizenship and civil rights should not be differentiated by region.

The second approach is Islamisation of the society and economy through persuasion and incentives. People are encouraged to adopt Islamic values and practices because such values and practices benefit them. The best example is of course Islamic finance, where non-Muslim Chinese are said to be one of the most enthusiastic groups. Halal standards are also adopted by many non-Muslim restaurants because they want Muslim business. Surely Islam has more to contribute to the society, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, on a voluntarily basis. If state governments are competing to Islamise in a non-compelling way, such competition is only good for making Malaysia more diversified.

So the key is really not how Islamised Malaysia should be, but how Malaysia is to be Islamised, by persuasion or by force.

PAS asked Malaysians to give absolute trust

Free Malaysia Today reported PAS President Abdul Hadi Awang as saying 'Give us your absolute trust,” PAS tells Malaysians.

It will be great if we can trust PAS absolutely as then securing a Consensus between PAS and DAP on its struggles to win Putrajaya would be an easy job.

However, from that article, it looks like the basis of this absolute trust in PAS will be based on:

1. UMNO's misdeeds
2. non-Muslims' peers in the communities in Kelantan, Terengganu and now Kedah, Penang and Selangor (Pakatan Rakyat controlled states)
3. “We (PAS) have always been consistent with our stand and administrative approach. Islam is about justice and fair treatment...”

Are these enough? Hopefully we can get PAS to be more specific on the basis upon which we Malaysians can depend to absolutely trust PAS.

"Give us your absolute trust,"PAS tells Malaysians
WED, 01 SEP 2010 12:11
By FMT Staff

KUALA LUMPUR: At a time when the country is grappling with its own issues of faith and trust laced with fear, PAS is asking Malaysians to believe in the party.

“Give us your absolute trust and allow us to replace Umno and lead this country. We pledge to be fair to all and urge Malaysians to give PAS their trust as an alternative leadership to Umno,” said party president Abdul Hadi Awang.

He said Umno could no longer be trusted because it was now desperate, reckless and uncaring of how divided and suspicious the communities were.

He said Umno’s aim of confusing the Muslims and the public with a distorted version of true Islamic teachings and blatantly stoking racial intolerance was creating discord and distrust.

“We urge non-Muslims not to judge PAS by Umno’s discriminative standards and distorted understanding of Islam,” Hadi said last night.

He said if non-Muslims were unsure of PAS’ capabilities, they just needed to speak to their peers in the communities in Kelantan, Terengganu and now Kedah, Penang and Selangor.

“We have always been consistent with our stand and administrative approach. Islam is about justice and fair treatment...” he said.

According to him, the reason for the confusion these days was the deviant understanding of Islam as propagated by Umno during all its years of rule.

He said Umno had never stopped using religion and racism as a weapon to frighten multi-racial Malaysia into supporting the party.

Dangerous tactic

The worst and most dangerous tactic of Umno is projecting an image to the public, especially the Malays, that its decisions were in accordance with true Islamic teachings.

"They have mixed and meshed their narrow perspective on racism and linked it to appear like it's the teachings of Islam,” he said, adding that Umno-linked media had helped propagate these sentiments by giving the impression that the ties between the races was at its worst.

He said Muslims were being hit with confusing interpretations of Islam, while non-Muslims were being incited with racial slurs.

"I wish to advise the media to stop fanning racial issues because it is only confusing the Muslims and endangering their ties with others.

“It is time for Muslims to be discerning and to weigh whatever they hear and read.

“They should avoid being trapped by misleading information disseminated by Umno and its agents,” he said, adding that PAS was willing to face the National Fatwa Council to explain the guidelines to Islamic teachings if invited to do so.

Hadi's comments come amidst fears that the country may be on the road to self-destruction following wanton interpretations of Islamic teachings, socio-cultural intolerance and rising inflation.

Yesterday in his National Day message, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak called on Malaysians to practise restraint and value what they have inherited.

He said society should not allow the Malaysian way of life, which is based on diversity and moderation, to be undermined by extreme attitudes which manifest themselves through racial and religious issues.

"Everything which we have achieved, everything which we have built, and things which are dear to us, will be destroyed.

"We should, therefore, value the prevailing peace, harmony and stability in the country," he said

Citizens for PAS DAP Consensus

Further to Solution for PAS DAP disagreement re Hudud & Islamic State, it is good to announce that we are now a team of 4 and possibly one more from PAS. The first thing is what are we going to call our initiative/efforts/drive/......

I had suggested PAS DAP Conciliation initiative. A member suggested consensus is a better word so let's look at the definitions of these 2 words

Conciliation: the state of manifesting goodwill and cooperation after being reconciled; "there was a brief period of conciliation but the fighting soon resumed"

Consensus: Consensus is defined in English as, firstly, general agreement and, secondly, group solidarity of belief or sentiment. It has its origin in a Latin word meaning literally to feel together.

OK perhaps Citizens for PAS DAP Consensus would be better? That would be giving a message to both PAS and DAP that we citizens want them to come to a clear consensus over this Hudud and Islamic State issues so that when it is time to vote, we citizens know exactly what we are voting for.

If you have other suggestions, we would be happy to hear about it.

There was an article by Zeffri Yusof over at Malaysian Insider Do not PAS go, do not collect hudud where he had some suggestions for PAS some of which we may want to incorporate? Do give us your views:

1. Explain clearly to its own coalition first and get their buy in with regards to its Islamic state plans (including and especially how non-Muslims or “dhimmis” fare) and hudud law — before repeating it to the larger public. We would all be interested to know what PAS would do if it gets to practise hudud. Judging from past action, some are betting that its first priority is policing women’s attire as opposed to something more substantial. It behooves PAS to clarify.

2. Be realistic about its Islamic state ambitions. Instead of the whole country — which would require two-thirds majority and the consent of the King to amend the constitution — perhaps just being selective in favour of its strong states as “syariah experiment zones”, leaving the rest of the country secular. Well, if BN can divide and rule along racial lines, perhaps PR along ideological lines. At least people can see how commercially (e.g. tourism), scientifically (e.g. innovation) and socially (e.g. integration) the hudud states would fare.

3. Resist from falling back on the “if only the critics would understand the principles of hudud” line; or that criticising hudud is somehow “sensitive”. Here’s the thing: the fact that people are questioning hudud should tell its advocates that people care enough to want to understand. PAS’s job is not merely to defend its position, but win people over. It is the duty of hudud proponents to explain and enlighten through persuasive argument. In fact, they should do what other disciplines do when they need to communicate a position — publish a position paper, debate in an open forum, etc.

4. When going public with hudud, refrain from using “argument from authority” or “appeal to authority” when claiming why hudud is “just and fair” because not only is that approach dogmatic, it does not wash with non-Muslims and non-believers. A rational, empirical approach would be appreciated — for example, a comparison between how secular and syariah law might address the same issues differently, or citing historical and current examples of successfully implemented hudud (hopefully not Saudi Arabia or Iran).

5. And last but not least, that PAS does not assume that all Malaysian Muslims are for PAS’s brand of hudud. I say PAS’s hudud because taking all of Islam’s schisms and fiqh schools and mazhabs into consideration, no way can PAS claim it holds the one and only legitimate view.

Solution for DAP PAS disagreement re hudud and Islamic State

The issue of implementation of Islamic Hudud law (Syariah) and an Islamic state for Malaysia has cropped up again and can pit pro-hudud and Islamic state PAS against pro-secular state DAP which could lead to the unrevalling of the Pakatan Rakyat just like what happend in 2001 when DAP left the Barisan Alternatif coalition.

The dislodging of the decadent and decaying UMNO/BN from Putrajaya and introduction of badly needed reforms to Malaysia is seriously threatened by this possibility and all reasonable Malaysians will not want this to happen. The current momentum should be maintained at all costs especially now that there is a possibility to win Federal power. We have seen how the dastardly UMNO/BN has used their federal power to frustrate the state governments governed by Pakatan Rakyat.

However PAS will never be able to give up its aim to introduce hudud and make Malaysia an Islamic state probably because a Muslim is obligated to make these 2 a reality in their life. If PAS continue in its current stance, there is great danger of losing non-Malay and non-Muslim votes even if both PAS and DAP continue stay in its Pakatan Rakyat coalition.

On the other hand, DAP will find it extremely difficult to drop its insistance on Malaysia remaining a secular state and reject hudud. DAP if it continues to stay in Pakatan Rakyat in partnership with PAS while PAS continue to harp on hudud and Islamic state will also lose votes and may even be trounced in the election like what happened previously.

I appeal fervently to both PAS and DAP in particular and PKR in general to consider my suggestion to break this deadlock. Please please please do not play into the hands of UMNO/BN and hand them victory in the next general election. I have written on this issue before in Pakatan Rakyat should be a formal political party and not just a loose coalition. Below I will build on that.

Here is my opinion for a solution to the above. Pakatan Rakyat now has the Pakatan Rakyat CPF (Common Policy Framework) drawn up in December and which is a great platform on how PAS PKR and DAP can cooperate to win Federal power. May I humbly suggest that all the parties in Pakatan Rakyat should be political in the sense that its purpose is to win elections and form governments and its actions and policies should be solely based on the CPF. In this way, the aim of Pakatan Rakyat will not be jeopardize by this very major and fundamental difference between PAS and DAP.

My suggestion to for PAS to solve its delicate delima is as follows. PAS shoule separate into 2 bodies which I will temporaly refer to as "political PAS" (PAS for all will fit in here extremely well) and "religious PAS". "Political PAS" will be ONLY for the political purpose of cooperating with DAP and PKR within Pakatan Rakyat as mentioned above. All others such as the intention of PAS to make Malaysia an Islamic State and introduce hudud should striven for within "religios PAS".

In this way a member of "religious PAS" will not feel that he is neglecting his religious obligations but which he may practice and pursue within "religious PAS". Further, by doing this, PAS will then not need a "PAS Supporter Club" anymore as then all non-Muslims who support PAS can join "political PAS" and withoug any controversy can stand for elections and become office bearers. Conservative PAS members who feel strongly and negatively about the presence of non-Muslims within its party will no longer have any reasons to fee such.

Please PAS do seriously give some considerations to this suggestion and not jeopardize this real chance of becoming part of the Federal government.

If you think this is a good idea to break this deadlock, for the sake of Malaysia, I hope you will help spread this message.

Update: From Dr M says meritocrats are racist too:Mahathir: "Islamist party PAS also did not escape coming under fire from the veteran politician who said that it was using religion for political gain"

Perhaps when PAS separates its religious striving for Islamic State and hudud and its political ambitions, perhaps that would be an answer to Mahathir's accusation.

Is UMNO or PAS more Islamic and dangerous?

Who is more Islamic and dangerous? Here are 2 person's view:

Raja Petra Kamarudin: Umno is more Islamic & dangerous than PAS. Who breaks ur temples? Who put 5 in ISA? Who declare M'sia Islamic country? Who snatch dead bodies? Who kill in police custody? Who create bumiputra? Who break family using syariah law?...Who use khalwat to spy on people? Who implement Islamic policy in schools? It is BN. For 50 yrs they brainwashed us to think that they are moderate. They are the extremists."

Jacqueline Ann Surin: "To that list, I might add that it is also under the current administration that Muslims are denied the religious freedom to choose another faith. Under this same administration, the Catholic Herald and all other non-Muslim groups are banned from using the word "Allah".

Malaysians signing a petition against the Islamic Family Law amendment, January 2006 (Pic courtesy of Ezrena)

Additionally, it was the BN government that, in late 2005, passed amendments to the Islamic Family Law that were not only grossly unjust to Muslim women but were also un-Islamic. And today, it is the BN government that is making it mandatory for Muslims to undergo flawed pre-marital HIV testing, which may even be extended to non-Muslims.

So, yes, PAS needs to be taken to task for not giving up its Islamic state agenda for a nation that was founded as a secular democracy. But, so should Umno, which, perhaps more cleverly, is less transparent about its attempts to infuse certain kinds of Islamic laws and teachings into public policy. And when these laws and teachings are contested, what's worse is that public discussion is curtailed through silencing and fear. Or sometimes, by telling concerned non-Muslims not to worry because it doesn't affect them. We should bear in mind that this is an oft-used argument both BN leaders and Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim are guilty of.

Umno may not be promoting hudud. For now. But more importantly, what is clear is that they haven't publicly opposed it, either. And, from the examples above, the Umno-led BN clearly has aspirations for an Islamic state of sorts. And I mean in a prejudiced way that perverts the more inclusive and just interpretations of all discourses "Islamic". Because I believe that Islam promotes justice, fairness and compassion as exhorted by notable Muslim organisations such as Sisters in Islam, and Muslim scholars such imam Feisal Abdul Rauf."

Hudud Muslims only Abdul Wahid Endut

Here is one more quotation from PAS candidate for the Trengganu Parliamentary by-election, Abdul Wahid Endut:

"And I have been telling the Chinese that Hudud does not affect them, and they are not afraid, so it is not an issue here. We have explained it well to the people of Terengganu."

HUDUD to apply to Muslims only

I am putting this on record so that hopefully, PAS will be bound by what they said:

PAS national integration chairperson Mujahid Yusof Rawa was reported to have said: "I would like to emphasise that if hudud law is implemented, it would be only on Muslims. Non-Muslims will not be affected. In Islam, we are taught to respect the rights of not only Muslims but also non-Muslims."

PAS Supporters’ Club chairperson Hu Pang Chaw was also reported to have said: "Unlike Chinese in other parts of the country, those in Kelantan and Terengganu understand Islam better. We know hudud only applies to Muslims."

HUDUD, if ever implemented in Malaysia, will only apply to Muslim and not non-Muslim.

Based on this, I call on all the voters in Kuala Trengganu to vote for the PAS candidate Mohd Abdul Wahid. Send a strong message to BN and Najib that we no longer wants BN to "misrule" us any longer.

Source: Malaysiakini

Islamic State: Can PAS speak for PR?

PAS is at it again. PAS spiritual leader, Datuk Nik Abdul Aziz Nik Mat and state exco member Datuk Husam Musa has said PAS will implement HUDUD (Islamic laws) if PR (Pakatan Rakyat) gains federal power. PAS has shown its ugly face again on this issue. Before the March general elections, PAS has toned down and campaigned on the basis of a welfare state. Now that PAS is strong, it has again unilaterally brought up the Islamic State issue again. Does PAS deserve our support for the Kuala Trengganu election? I say no. Let us work for the downfall of PAS in this case. Let PAS fail. Show PAS that they cannot unilaterally make decisions on behalf of others without consultations.

PR (Pakatan Rakyat) to become political party and DAP, PKR, PAS party become component members

I hope Malaysian remember the BA (Barisan Alternatif) fiasco when DAP (Democratic Action Party), PKR (Parti Keadilan Rakyat) and PAS (Parti Islam SeMalaysia) formed a loose coalition to contest against BN (Barisan Nasional). PAS were insistent on turning Malaysia into an Islamic state. For that, Barisan Alternatif paid a heavy price, the heaviest by DAP.

Now the same 3 parties have again joined force against the Barisan Nasional and on March 8, 2008, created history which saw many states falling into the hands of PR Pakatan Rakyat, another loose coalition of DAP, PKR and PAS plus took away the much abused two-third majority of BN in the Parliament. This time PAS wisely played down the Islamic state issue. However, after the successes, again some PAS members started making statements regarding Islamic state and HUDUD. This can derail the loose coalition.

I earnestly do not want to see PR unravel and BN getting the upper hand again the next General Election. For this reason, I am coming up with a suggestion. Turn PR into a real political party with its own symbol for the next General Election (and hope BN will not put obstacles in its path). Call it a different name if they want. A constitution should be drawn up clearly stating exactly what this PR or replacement stand for. DAP, PKR, PAS or any other political parties which subscribe to what is stated in the constitution become component members. Each component members retain its individual political party status. Then if anyone wants to raise issues like for example Islamic state or HUDUD law should do it via their own party and not associate it with PR or alternative. And if they can no longer subscribe to PR or replacement, they can leave that coalition political party and contest the next General Election on their own. Then Malaysians will not be confused and hopefully Pakatan Rakyat or replacement will not meet the fate of that BA (Barisan Alternatif).

I hope this message reach the decision makers of DAP, PKR and PAS and they consider it seriously for I sincerely do want them to continue to make political progress and lead the way to better governance, unity and harmony for Malaysia